After several attempts in past legislative sessions, Texas lawmakers in May were able to pass a bill outlawing use of electronic devices while driving statewide.
House Bill 62, authored by State Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland) and sponsored by State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), was signed into law June 6 by Gov. Greg Abbott and will become law Sept. 1.
Under the new law, which would make using an electronic device while driving a Class A misdemeanor, drivers will be cited for driving their vehicle while they are using a device to make a phone call or sending and receiving text messages. Exceptions would be for those who use hands-free devices, such as a bluetooth headset, or use their phones as a global positioning system (GPS) or making an emergency phone call.
